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Mission: Empower blind Iowans to be gainfully employed and live independently.
Vision: To be the world's leader in blind rehabilitation services.
IDB Volunteer Newsletter
Welcome to our newsletter! In this issue, we are celebrating Learn about Blindness, Happenings, and Fun Things with Iowa Department for the Blind Podcasts, an Update from the Director, 2021 Summer Programs, and a Well-Known Volunteer Audio Narrator Dies. We hope you find this newsletter useful and informative. Please feel free to share any suggestions you may have for things to include or ways to improve by emailing Janice Eggers, Executive Secretary and Volunteer Coordinator at janice.eggers@blind.state.ia.us. If you are a current volunteer, thank you for all that you do. If you are not a current volunteer, please visit our website at https://blind.iowa.gov/volunteers to learn about opportunities or fill out an application.
Volunteer Spotlight - In Memory of Judy Fausch, Volunteer Audio Narrator
Judy Fausch began as a studio narrator for the library on April 13, 2009 and spent 12 plus years doing amazing work for our library and our patrons. She read over 30 books for the library and many other smaller projects. She also read over 40 magazine issues, mostly the Annals of Iowa and the ICUB Bulletin that were then shared with patrons across Iowa. In 2015, she received the Florence Grannis Library Service Award given annually by the library to honor individuals whose exemplary service recalls the selfless spirit of Ms. Grannis, the founder of our library. Judy also received the Library’s MVP (Master Volunteer Partner) Award in 2019 for her continued work as a studio narrator. She was our “go to” narrator and one of our most reliable. She would do her research before reading by looking up pronunciations and figuring out when to put in reader’s notes and she was amazing at reading long, long lists of names and dates or page numbers without tiring. But also when given a children’s book set in a mythical town in Iowa, she made it come alive. Judy always had a smile and a positive attitude, she was a joy to be around! Her voice and expertise was shared with many.
Employee Spotlight - Tim West
What is your role at IDB? Digital Recording Specialist - I am responsible for training, recording and editing the voiceover talent and all equipment necessary for our locally produced audio book.
Why did you decide to work at IDB? The challenge of “transitioning” the audio program from analog based recording to digitally based recording, and the opportunity to design and build a recording studio for high quality voiceover was what initially brought me here. But many other challenges kept coming, especially one that I am really fond of: computer programming! You immediately learn the purpose and values of IDB soon after you start working here, and I feel good at the end of each working day with what I contribute to my community – which extends to all areas of our state, and to some degree the entire nation.
Where did you work before IDB? I worked mostly in the telecommunications industry (phone/cable tv/internet) for a number of years.
What do you enjoy most about working at IDB? The "permission" to think outside the box and improve processes! I have had opportunity to write a number of software programs that we use daily in our library. Several of these programs have helped our library be recognized as “first in the nation” and several have been copied by the National Library Service.
• First to have a “Magazine Circulation System” with multiple magazines per digital cartridge.
• First to have a “Download On Demand” system – multiple books downloaded to a cartridge.
• First to have a “Download On Demand Circulation System” – for all digital audio book patrons.
• First to connect our Circulation System (EOS) to the National Library Service (PIMMS) database.
• First to have a “SuperDup” duplication system – multiple books per cartridge copied to multiple cartridges.
What is your favorite memory at the IDB? I have met many wonderful and kind, talented but humble volunteers over the last 16 years. Their selfless dedication with no expectation of a “reward” or pay has helped me know that there really is still some very good people on this earth, and I have enjoyed being in their lives! When narrators come into the studio to read a book, there is always a little “chit chat” before you begin the two hour recording session. My favorite “chatter” was Pat Selburg-Smith who kept me in stiches both before and during the recording sessions. I really looked forward to those sessions!
What do you like to do in your free time? Spending time with my best friend (and wife) Jana is number 1, also with my daughters Sarah and Katy, granddaughters Lennan and Remy, and my dog Miley. I love outdoor recreation, bike riding, kayaking, boating, walking my dog, and sitting on our deck or around our firepit with a glass of wine and friends! I also love music and I have played music most of my life (bass guitar and saxophone, sing a little), the last band was “Abby Normal” – a classic rock band in Des Moines with a huge following. My wife is quite a songwriter and has written a lot of songs, many that I have recorded over the years. Since the COVID outbreak, I started woodworking and really enjoy making things with wood.
Updates from the Director
by Emily Wharton
IDB is very grateful to Governor Reynolds and the Iowa Legislature for granting our requested appropriation for this fiscal year. These funds have enabled us to begin the process of hiring a 7th Independent Living Teacher. The position was posted and we are currently conducting interviews. This position will cover 13 counties and will reduce territories for existing teachers. In other Independent Living news, Lori Berglund, who will be working out of Storm Lake and covering northwest and north central Iowa, has finished her center training and is now training in the field. We are very excited to have another committed and skilled teacher serving older Iowans who are losing vision and increasing the reach and responsiveness of these critical services.
Our LEAP summer youth program is in full swing. This program teaches skills like cane travel, home management, access technology, and braille to transition age youth. The program creates a positive, supportive, environment where youth can build new friendships, improve their social skills, and participate in fun activities like camping, eating at restaurants, engaging in interactive STEM activities, visiting amusement parks, and more. I've had the opportunity to have discussions with the youth about careers, interviewing, and addressing misconceptions about blindness in professional environments. They have been a lively bunch with great questions. With the uncertainty around COVID, we were less able to include opportunities for volunteers to work with these groups this year, but we hope this will open up again next year.
Volunteers Make Our Summer Programs a Success
by Sarah Willeford
The Summer Reading Program, Tales and Travels, and Summer STEM had a few very special guest stop by our Library this summer.
- Our first guest, Angie Schobel took our children on a fieldtrip to learn about pigmy goats. This time was full of giggles and laughter listening to the goats climbing onto tower after tower. Thank you Angie for teaching the children all about why goats do what they do!
- Liz Soenen, thank you for sharing your passion of puppets with us. We opened up both our hearts and creativity as we brought the Wilson tennis ball to life. Liz showed us how to make; monsters, rabbits, butterflies, and fish into puppets by using wiggly eyes, glue dots and clothespins. Thank you again Liz for sharing your passion of puppets with us!
- A big warm thank you goes out to Laura DeCook, Mahaska CCB Naturalist, who visited the Summer Reading Program to talk about the Woolly Mammoth.
- Mike Vallely, our “new” special friend really got the party started with the Summer STEM students. Not only did Mike talk about his personal journey as a business owner, Street Plant, but he shared with us, incredible stories and skateboarding adventures.
- We look forward to the arrival of other guest coming to pay us a visit. Brian Bean will visit with the Leap Students about being a pilot. Brian will talk about the many dynamics that go into flying and an airplane.
- The last week of the Summer STEM program, special guest, Patrice Petersen-Keys from Polk County Conservation will be discussing conservation and camping with our eager and excited Leap Students as we close out our summer of STEM.
We thank all of these volunteers for donating their time and sharing their knowledge and expertise!
Meals from the Heartland
by Kaitlyn Kelly
This summer LEAP students volunteered at Meals from the Heartland in West Des Moines. Students used their communication and measuring skills to work as a team to measure rice, vitamins, and seasonings to pack meals together for those in need across the USA and 40 other countries. Students packed 432 bags, which is 2,592 meals for others.
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Students measure rice and vitamins as another student holds a bag under a funnel for the ingredients to be poured in. |
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Group Picture of students in their hair nets holding up a banner that says #rockinthehairnet after packing meals for others. |
Did You Know?
Learn about Blindness, Happenings,
and Fun Things with Iowa Department
for the Blind Podcasts!
by Sandi Ryan
Don’t miss out! The Iowa Department for the Blind (IDB) now offers podcasts on several topics. They can help you learn about blindness, teach you a new skill, enhance your confidence, and entertain you!
Currently up and running on IDB’s Podcast page, https://blind.iowa.gov/podcasts are:
Center Line: In each episode of this podcast, Alan Bickell, Director of IDB’s Adult Orientation and Adjustment Center, and Nami Wallace, a Generalist at the Center, interview a guest from the blindness field about topics focused around IDB’s structured discovery Center programs, and other blindness topics of interest.
Library News: This monthly podcast provides information on events, programs, services, books and more from the Iowa Library for the Blind and Print Disabled.
Library Chat: Staff of the Iowa Library for the Blind and Print Disabled, and sometimes guests, discuss books and podcasts around a different topic (SPORTS, HUMOR) each month.
Braille Bits: This podcast corresponds with each lesson of Braille Bits, a program that teaches braille online or by mail through the Iowa Library for the Blind and Print Disabled. Each podcasts features a Braille Bits lesson and an interview with a special guest discussing all things braille.
And coming soon, look for:
Work That’s Real: In each episode, IDB Director Emily Wharton will interview a blind person about his or her chosen career. Some may surprise you!
Director’s Corner: This podcast will provide regular updates of happenings around IDB programs, services, and more.
Debunking Blindness: Alan Bickell, Director, and Nami Wallace and Enrique Mejia, staff at IDB’s Adult Orientation and Adjustment Center, will debunk myths about blindness and provide the truth.
There’s something for everyone On IDB’s Podcast Page. Check it out today, and frequently, to find out what’s new!
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Upcoming Events
7/31 - October Self Week application deadline
8/3 - 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm - Elected Committee of Blind Vendors (ECBV) Meeting
8/14 - Final Day of LEAP
8/20 – 8:30 am - 11:30 am – All Staff Meeting 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm - Director’s Forum https://us02web.zoom.us/j/109673957?pwd=bStha0U3WFdhdFhCS0wzcThnOVBZdz09
8/20-8/22 – ICUB State Convention
8/23-8/27 - 9:00 am - 3:00 pm New Staff Seminar Week
8/29 – YATP move in 8/30 – YATP first day of classes
9/4-9/6 - YATP Labor Day Break. Students travel home Friday evening and return Tuesday morning.
9/6 – Labor Day (state Holiday)
9/7 - 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm - Elected Committee of Blind Vendors (ECBV) Meeting
9/12-9/17 – IL Integration
9/17 – 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm Director’s Forum
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/109673957?pwd=bStha0U3WFdhdFhCS0wzcThnOVBZdz09
9/21 - 12:00 – Commission Board meeting
9/24-9/26 - Youth Weekend Retreat
10/7 BEP Annual Meeting
10/10-10/16 - Self Week
10/15 – 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm Director’s Forum
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/109673957?pwd=bStha0U3WFdhdFhCS0wzcThnOVBZdz09
10/21-10/24 - YATP Fall break. Students travel home Wednesday evening and return Monday morning.
10/29-10/31 - Youth Weekend Retreat
11/2 - 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm - Elected Committee of Blind Vendors (ECBV) Meeting
11/19 – 8:30 am - 11:30 am – All Staff Meeting
- 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm - Director’s Forum
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/109673957?pwd=bStha0U3WFdhdFhCS0wzcThnOVBZdz09
11/24–11/28 - YATP Thanksgiving Break. Students travel home Tuesday evening and return Monday morning.
11/25-11/26 – Thanksgiving (state holiday)
12/7 - 12:00 pm – Commission Board meeting
12/9 - 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm - Elected Committee of Blind Vendors (ECBV) Meeting
12/10–12/12 - Youth Weekend Retreat 12/18–1/2 - YATP Winter Break. Students travel home Friday evening and return Monday morning.
12/25 – Christmas (state holiday)
12/31 - March Self Week Application Deadline
1/17 – Martin Luther King Jr. State Holiday 1/15-1/17 - YATP MLK Day Break. Students travel home Friday evening and return Tuesday morning.
1/21-1/23 - Youth Weekend Retreat
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